Skip to main navigation Skip to search Skip to main content

Chlorophyll a fluorescence illuminates a path connecting plant molecular biology to Earth-system science

  • Albert Porcar-Castell
  • , Zbyněk Malenovský
  • , Troy Magney
  • , Shari Van Wittenberghe
  • , Beatriz Fernández-Marín
  • , Fabienne Maignan
  • , Yongguang Zhang
  • , Kadmiel Maseyk
  • , Jon Atherton
  • , Loren P. Albert
  • , Thomas Matthew Robson
  • , Feng Zhao
  • , Jose Ignacio Garcia-Plazaola
  • , Ingo Ensminger
  • , Paulina A. Rajewicz
  • , Steffen Grebe
  • , Mikko Tikkanen
  • , James R. Kellner
  • , Janne A. Ihalainen
  • , Uwe Rascher
  • Barry Logan
  • University of Helsinki
  • University of Tasmania
  • University of Valencia
  • University of La Laguna
  • Université Paris-Saclay
  • Nanjing University
  • Open University Milton Keynes
  • Brown University
  • West Virginia University
  • Beihang University
  • University of the Basque Country
  • University of Toronto
  • University of Turku
  • University of Jyväskylä
  • Jülich Research Centre
  • Bowdoin College

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

222 Scopus citations

Abstract

For decades, the dynamic nature of chlorophyll a fluorescence (ChlaF) has provided insight into the biophysics and ecophysiology of the light reactions of photosynthesis from the subcellular to leaf scales. Recent advances in remote sensing methods enable detection of ChlaF induced by sunlight across a range of larger scales, from using instruments mounted on towers above plant canopies to Earth-orbiting satellites. This signal is referred to as solar-induced fluorescence (SIF) and its application promises to overcome spatial constraints on studies of photosynthesis, opening new research directions and opportunities in ecology, ecophysiology, biogeochemistry, agriculture and forestry. However, to unleash the full potential of SIF, intensive cross-disciplinary work is required to harmonize these new advances with the rich history of biophysical and ecophysiological studies of ChlaF, fostering the development of next-generation plant physiological and Earth-system models. Here, we introduce the scale-dependent link between SIF and photosynthesis, with an emphasis on seven remaining scientific challenges, and present a roadmap to facilitate future collaborative research towards new applications of SIF.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)998-1009
Number of pages12
JournalNature Plants
Volume7
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2021

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Chlorophyll a fluorescence illuminates a path connecting plant molecular biology to Earth-system science'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this